Nut-cracking machine



NUT CRACKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 25. 1920 May 7, 1929. c. E. DELLENBARGER NUT CRACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 23. 1920 J0 59 a5 42 a? 0 x v 1 s r i 1 1' Z H mm' 1, M 4 u 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fatented May 7, 1929. f

CHARLES E. DELLENBARGER,

or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To PAUL CARPENTER,

oreLEnvIEw, ILLINOIS.

NUT-CRACKING MACHINE.

Application filed September 23, 1920. Serial No. 412,238.

My present invention relates in general to power applying devices and more particularly to presses, and is specifically directed to devices of such general character applying a controlled amount of pressure.

lVhile my invent-ion is of general utility, for purposes of illustration, itis shown as applied to a nut cracking machine for performing the functions of which it ispeculiarl adapted. I

Among the functions desirable in a nut cracking machine are the availability of the machine for cracking nuts of varying diameters and the performance of the cracking operation in such a manneras toavoid fracturing the kernel meats of the nuts.

The principal objects of the present invention, therefore, are the provision of a nut cracking machine employing means for ac,- commodating varying sizes of nuts; a machine of the character referred towherein each nut regardless of its size, is subject only r the meat; the provision in a power applying machine of means for applying a controlled amount ofpressure to the object acted upon; the provision generally ofimproved pressure clement positioning means, and particularly of means for first positioning and then operating said pressure element; the provision of improved means for proportioning the force applied to size of the object acted upon; the provision of improved means for advancing the pressure element into contact with the object to be acted upon; the provision of'improved means for applying force to the object to be acted upon after the pressure element is brought'into position to exert force upon the object; the provision of improved means for exerting force in which the power utilized for bringing the force exerting means 1 illustrated in the mary advancement, as a group and secondary advancement of an element thereof as a pressure membeig and finally actuation of certain members as a toggle construction; the provision in a mechanism of the character referred getherlwith certain benefits and advantages 1 to be below pomted out, I have provided a construction one embodiment whereof is accompanying drawings, whereinj Figure 1 is an elevational View of a machine embodying my present invention illustrative of theparts in position for the application of pressure to an object to be acted upon; a Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 illustrative of the relations assumed by the parts in a similar position with reference to a largerobject;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation,

, viewing the machine of Figures 1 and 2 from the right-hand aspect thereof; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the details of construction of a'form of anvil employed by me. I l r In carrying out my invention as will be observed on reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, I find it convenient to employ a frame indicated generally at 10, having a compartment indicated generally at 11, closed by a cover 12, (see Figure v Exteriorly of the compartment 11, I arrange on a base 13, an anvil or fixed abutment 14, which is conveniently slidably mounted on the base 13, and fixed thereto by means of a pin 15,-entering one of the holes 16 (see Figuret), and one of the several se ries'of holes 17 in the anvil 14, the series holes 16 and 17 being adapted successively to register, whereby the anvil 14 may be closely positioned at a predetermined point. i It will be observed that the series of'holes 16 lie in one plane, Whereas the several series of holes 17 lie in planes at an angle thereto.

Again reverting to Figure 1, it will be perceived that power is applied to the object A rested against the anvil by means ofa reciprocating plunger 18 guided in itsreciprocation by a boss 19 formed on the side of the housing 10.

At its inner end the plunger 18 is pivoted, as indicated at 19, to a lever 20 in turn pivotedat its lower end 21 to the casing 10.

The upper end 22 of the lever 20 pivotally carries, as indicated at 23, a lever 24 in turn pivoted at its lower end as indicated at 25 to one end of a floating link 26 pivoted at the opposite end 2'? to the end of one arm 28 of a bell-crank. V 'Th'is'bell-crank is pivoted at 29 to the easing 10 and the opposite end 30 of the bellcrank is pivoted on the pin 30 to the upper iend'oi a connecting rod 31 in turn pivoted at its lower end, as indicated at 32, to a treadle 33.

In order to sustainthe treadle in lifted and operative position, and the several levers 1n 'their normal inoperative position, a coiled.

spring, 3%, is attached at one end to the framing 10 and at the other end to the pivot pint-30.

Extending upwardly from the pivot, 23, I

arrange on the lever, 24:, a part, 3 1", preter- "ablyprovided with a repla c cable hardened insert, 35, serving'as a detent to engage with the teeth, 36, on a quadrant, 37, carried by the support, 38, pivoted at one end, 39 on the casing 10, the oppositeflend being pressed iO, against the limit,

. ward, a compression spring, d3 is interposed between the lower portion of the lever, 24, and the lever, 20, and the lever, 20, is provided with aliiniting stop, 44, engaging in a notch, 15, in the lever, 2-1.

In the operation of the mechanism above described, a nutii is implaced against the anvil, 1 1, and the treadle, is depressed. Tl will swing the bellcrank about the pivot, 29, shifting the floating lever, 28, to the right and with it, as a unit, the composite lever construction, including the lever 2%, and by virtue of the connection, 23, and spring, -1 the lever, 20. thus advances the plunger, against the nut A.

In the movement just described, the detent, 35, adjacent to the ratchet 37. moves through an are 01' a circle having its center at the nvot. 21. for which reason the member 37. l c a is given the curvature corresponding to the movement of said detent.

As soon as the plunger, 18, comes into contact with the nut A and consequently meets with resistance toits movement, the traverse of the upper end, 34?, of the lever, 24, discontinues, and the continued movement to the right of the floating link, 26, (due to the continued depression 01 the treadle 33) causes the lever, 24, to swing about the point of en gagement between the detent, 35, and the tooth-ed portion, 36, of the member, 37, which now becomes the fulcrum point for the entire pressure applying mechanism. This causes compression oi? the spring, 43, until the detent, 35, comes into contact with the rack, 36, at the point 4.5 which causes the lever 20, again to move about the pivot, 21, and exert pressure upon the nut A, thus momentarily holding the plunger stationary and so avoiding any possibility of a shock contact due to momentum.

After a slight further movement of the plunger, 18, in cracking the shell of the nut, with concomitant swinging oi the pivot point, 3, about the pivot point, 21, the stop, 15", contacts with the stop 1%, and the compression action is ended, and the several parts resume their normal inoperativc position upon the return of the bell-crank, 28.

This cracking of the shell of the nut is n'iaterially assisted by the contours of the face, 16, ot the anvil, 14, and the co-acting end, &7, of the plunger, 13, (see Figures 4; and 2 respectively.)

For cracking thin shelled nuts, such as pecans, without injury to the meat, substantial port-ions of the ends of the oblong nut A will seat in such faces, i6 and 47, so that when pressure is applied, the tendency \ill be to shorten the nut by causing the shell thereof to bulge at its sides until thecracking point is reached.

It will be observed that the movement of the treadle occupies two stages, the first being one whereinthe plunger is advanced into contact with the nut, and the second being one wherein the movement oi the treadle applies pressure to the nut for cracking the shell.

Th chan go from one stage to the other w ll accompl red, as will be readily CllSCOVfilCli, without liannner like blow or shock. but will be readily noticed by the ope *ator of the machine who can control the treadle accordingly.

In the case of nuts having relatively thick shells, such. as filberts, the plunger, 18, may be provided with acutting edge for splitting the shell, as indicated in Figure 1.

To provide for adjustment of the throw of the treadle, 33, and thereby of the movement of the several parts operated thereby, the connecting rod, 31. is detachably attached thereto by means of the removable pin, 32, which engages not only the member, 31, but may be inserted in any one of the holes 32,

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a device of the character described, in combination, an anvil, a pressure member movable toward the anvil to apply pressure to an object positioned between it and the an anvil.

vil, and means for positively moving said pressure member toward the anvil to cause it to cont-act with and non-yieldingly grasp the object between the anvil and said pressure member, said moving means being ada ited for further movement into pressingcontact with such object.

tact with and non-yieldingly grasp the object a between the anvil and said pressure member,

said moving means being adapted 'l'or rurther movement into pressing contact with such object.

A device of the character described com prising, the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member movable toward the anvil to apply pressure to an object positioned be tween it and the anvil, and means for Causing said pressure member first to approach and positively grasp the object, and then to exert pressure thereupon, said last mentioned means being so constructed and to positively cause a momentary discontinuation oithe HIOVQI'HCHt of the pressure member toward the l. A device of: the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, and means for moving said pressure member toward the anvil, said means being constructed and arranged to positively cause the pressure member to cease moving momentarily upon meeting any resistance to its movement 1 A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, oil a PIOSFJLHG member, and means for moving said pressure member, including a lever cmistruci'ion, adapted to pivot about one fulcrum in the absence or resi tance and about another fulcrum in the mesence of resistance,

(3. A device of the character described comprising the combination with a' anvil, of a pressure member, and means for moving said pressure member, including a lever construclion, adapted to pivot aboutone fulcrum in the absence of resistance and about aiiother fulcrum in the presence of resistance, the last n'ieutioned fulcrum being variable,

7. A device oil the character described comprising the cou'ibination with an anvil, of a pressure member, an d means for moving said pressure member, including a 'lever construe tion, adapted. to pivot about one fulcrum in the absence of resistance and about another fulcrum in the presence of resistance, the last mentioned "fulcrum being variable and becoming ineffective after a certain resistance has been overcome. i

8. A device of theeharacter described comprisingthe combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, and means for moving said pressure member, including alever construction, adapted to pivot about one fulcrum in the absence of resistance and about another fulcrum in the presence of resistance, the last mentioned fulcrum being variable and be com g ineffective after a certain movement of the pressure member.

9. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, oil a pressure member and means for moving said pressu re member towards and away from said anvil acting in tour stages, the first stage in cluding bringing the pressure member into contact with the object to be actedupon, the second stage including a discontinuation of movement of the pressure member, the third stage including the application of pressure to the object, and the'iourth including the discontinuation of the pressing action of the pressure niiember.

10. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for advancing the pressure inen'iber towards the anvil in such stages as toprevent the a uglication of pressure to an object interposed between the pressure member and the anvil with mementumas a factor of such pressure.

I. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil against which an object may be rested, of a pressure member and means for positively advancing the pressure member towards the anvil automatically in such stages as to prevent any crushing impact upon the object.

12. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, and continuously operating means for positively moving the pressure member including a leverconstruction adapted for one movement in the absence oi? resistance to the pressure member and for another movement in the presence of resi tauce thereto, said pressure member automatically coming to a completestop between such niovements.

1.3. A device of the character described munprising the combination with an anvil, of

membcr and for another movement in the presence of resistance thereto and a yieldingly resistant device effective as said actuating me nber passes "from one 01 said movements into the other thereof;

15. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, Of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil includ iug a pair of levers pivoted together, one of said levers having a fixed fulcrum and the other of said levers having a floating fulcrum, and lever actuating;- means engaging said last mentioned lever for first moving said two levers about said fixed fulcrum and toward the anvil and then fixing said floating fulcrum and moving said last mentioned lever about said last mentioned fulcrum and into operative contact with said first mentioned lever whereby a further thrust is imparted to said first mentioned lever.

16. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure mo nber and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil including); a pair of levers pivoted together, one of said levers having a fixed fulcrum and the other said. levers having a floating fulcrum, and lever actuatin means engaging said last mentioned lever for lirstinovii said two levers about said fixed fulcrum and toward the anvil an d then fixing said floating fulcrum and moving said last mentionec lever about said last mentioned fulcrum and into operative contact with said first mentioned lever whereby a further thrust is imparted to said first .ClQDti" ied lover, a yielding-iv resistant element being interposed between said two levers for absorbing: shock as the one lever moves into thrusting; contact with the other.

13". A device of the character described comprising the combination with an an ll, of a pressure member and means for advancsaid pressure member toward the anvil inc ling two lovers pivoted together, and means for moving), the pivotal connection of said levers about a. lined 'lulcrum and then causing said pivotal connection to move about another llXOCl fulcrum.

18. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for advancing said pressure member, including two levers pivoted together and means or first caus .5 said levers to move together a unit and then causing the lovers to move relatively to each other about their pivotal connection.

19. A device or the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, and means for advancing the pressure n'iember toward the anvil including a lever and means for bodily moving the lever in one direction and then moving it about a fixed fulcrum.

20. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for advancing the pressure member toward the anvil including a lever and means for causing sai l lever to swing first about its to cram, then rest momentarily when resistance is met, and then to continue its movement in the original direction.

21. A device of the character described comprising; the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for advancing the pressure member toward the anvil com prising a pair of levers pivoted together and means for causing said levers to move about a fixed iulcrum provided for one of the levers and then about a lined fulcrum provided for the other of said levers.

A device of the character described comprising the combination with a pressure member and means for imparting movement to the pressure member, of an anvil and a support therefor, and means for varying the relation of the anvil to the support having means for varying the relation between the anvil and the support including a member engaging both the anvil and the support, one of which is provided with means whereby it may be engrargecl at a plurality of points displaced both laterally and longitudinally.

23. A device oi the character described comprising the combination with a pressure member and means for imparting movement to the pressure member, of an anvil d a sup port therefor, anu means for varying the rel tion of the anvil to the support having means for varying the relation between the anvil and the support including a pin engaging both the anvil and the support, one of which provided with holes whereby it may be onringed at a plurality of points displaced both laterally and longitudinally.

EZ-l. A device oi? the. character described comprising the combination with a pressure member and means for imparting movement to the pressure member, of an anvil and a support therefor, and means for varying the relation between the anvil. and the support including a member for fin, g the anvi and the support against relative movement, one of said members being provided with a plurality o1 series of holes, each se ies being arranged in a line at an angle to the direction or ITIOVQIHPRlI of the anvihand said fixing member being adapted for engagement with said holes.

25. A device of the character described comprising the combination with a pressure member and means for imparting; movement to the pressure member, of an anvil and a support therefor, and means for varying the relation between the anvil and the pport including a meniiber for fixing the anvil and the supportv against relative movement, one of said members being provided with a plurality of series of holes, each series being arranged lit) in a line at an angle to the direction'of move ment of the anvil, and the other of said mem- T ing said pressure member towards said anvil including a lever and a fulcrunrfor said lever adapted for bodily displacement relatively to said lever.

28. A. device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil including a lever and a fulcrum for said lever mounted for movement about a pivot relatively to said lever.

29. A. device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil including a lever and a fulcrum member and yieldingly resistant means for pressing said fulcrum member into contact with the lever.

30. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil including a lever and a fulcrum member and yieldingly resistant means for pressing said fulcrum member into contact with the lever and a limit stop for said. fulcrum member.

31. A device of the character described .-.o mprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil incliuliug a lever and a ratchet toothed fulcrum member and means for causing said. fulcrum member to contact with said lever.

32. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member including a lever and a fulcrum, said lever being first moved bodily about a pivot and relatively to said fulcrum, and then about said fulcrum.

33. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil 1neluding a lever and an extended fulcrum surface, said lever being first moved about a pivot and bodily relatively to said fulcrum surface and then about a point on said fulcrum surface, said fulcrum surface being curved on the arc of a circle about said pivot.

34. A. device of thecharacter described comprising the combination with an anvil,fof

a pressure member and means for movingsaid pressure member towards said anvil inei'u'd ing a lever, an extended fulcrum surface, and

means for causing said lever to fulcrum about dili'erentpoints on said fulcrum'surface. l

35. device of the character described said pressure member towards said anvilineluding a lever, an extended fulcrum surface,

and means for causing said lever to fulcrum about different points on said fulcrum surdi spl aceable. I

face, said fulcrum surface being an' 'ularly of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure member towards said anvil i11- cluding a lever, an extended fulcrum surface, and means for causing said lever to fulcrum about different points on said fulcrum surface, said fulcrum being bodily displaceable.

37. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and means for moving said pressure membertowards said anvil including a lever, an extended fulcrum surface, and means for causing said lever to fulcrum about different points on said fulcrum surface, said fulcrum surface being both angularly and bodily displaceable.

38. A device of the character described comprising the-combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, means for moving the pressure member fronr a predetermined starting point toward the anvil, and means for varying such starting position, including a treadle, and means for varying the relation of the treadle to said moving means.

A device of the character described comprising, the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member movable toward the anvilto apply pressure to an object positioned between it and the anvil, and means for positively causing said pressure member first to approach and yieldingly contact with the object, and then to exert pressure thereupoinsaid last mentioned means being so constructed that while movinguninterruptedly will cause amomentary discontinuation of the movement of the pressure member toward the anvil. i a

40. A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member, and means having a continuous n'iovement for positively moving said pressure. member toward the anvil, said means being constructed and arranged to simultaneously cause the pressure member to cease moving momentarily upon meeting any resistance to its movement.

.11. In combination, a relative stationary abutment, a pressure member movable toward said abutment, and means adapted for so J 36. A deviceofthe character described comprising the combination with an anvil,

continuous motion and for simultaneously positi y impar i g an in rmi n m on o. sai p essur memb 42 A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil, of a pressure member and continuously moving means forpositively advancing the pressure member automatically intermittently to: Ward the anvil, whereby pressure in the absence of shock is exerted upon an object interposed hetweenthe pressure member and the anvil.

4:3, device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil,

' of a pressure member and continuously operating means for automatically advancing the pressure member towards the anvll in such stages as to prevent the application of pressure to an object interposed between the pressure member and the anvil with momentum as a factor of such pressure.

44:, A device of the character described comprising the combination with an anvil against which an object may be rested, of a pressure member and means operating continuously in one direction for advancing the pressure member positively towards the anvil in such stages as to first cause said member to contact with such object and stop, and then impose pressure upon the object.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed. my name.

CHARLES E. DELLENBARGER. 

